FEP vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FEP (First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FEP is a Europe Equities fund tracking the Defined Europe Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEP returned 10.27%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FEP charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

FEP vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEP achieves a 9.99% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.92% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FEP having a 10.27% annualized return and VEA not far behind at 10.17%.

FEP

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 9.99%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 30.19%
• 3Y*: 24.76%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

VEA

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FEP vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	9.99%	55.72%	3.38%	16.85%	-22.97%	17.03%	4.12%	24.83%	-19.00%	36.27%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.92%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between FEP and VEA is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2011	0.84

The correlation between FEP and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

FEP vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEP	VEA
Industrials	25.4%	19.2%
Basic Materials	11.3%	7.5%
Energy	11.0%	5.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	7.5%
Financial Services	9.8%	23.3%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	5.6%
Utilities	7.1%	3.3%
Real Estate	5.2%	2.7%
Healthcare	4.8%	8.2%
Communication Services	3.7%	3.4%
Technology	3.0%	13.8%

Return for Risk

FEP vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FEP

FEP Risk / Return Rank: 52
FEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
FEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
FEP Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
FEP Martin Ratio Rank: 56

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FEP vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	FEP	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.09	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	2.87	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.38	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	2.81	-0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.71	10.94	-1.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEP vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEP and VEA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FEP	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.09	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.58	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.59	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.25	+0.09

Drawdowns

FEP vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEP drawdown since its inception was -46.05%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEP and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEP	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.05%	-60.68%	+14.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.13%	-11.63%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.83%	-13.45%	-2.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.99%	-29.71%	-9.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.05%	-35.73%	-10.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.47%	-0.90%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.02%	-13.29%	+1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	2.98%	+0.14%

Volatility

FEP vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) have volatilities of 5.75% and 5.66%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEP	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	5.66%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.95%	13.32%	+0.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.73%	15.66%	+1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.67%	16.55%	+3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.73%	17.36%	+3.37%

FEP vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEP has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEP vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

FEP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.97%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	2.97%	3.33%	4.94%	3.27%	3.00%	3.49%	2.32%	2.63%	2.62%	1.65%	2.14%	2.20%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEP and VEA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FEP and VEA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FEP or VEA?

FEP has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to VEA (5.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEP dropped -46.05% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, FEP or VEA?

On 10-year performance, FEP leads with 10.27% vs 10.17% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEP or VEA?

Over the 10-year period, FEP has performed better with a 10.27% return vs 10.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEP or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FEP or VEA?

FEP has the higher dividend yield at 2.97%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.

What is the main difference between FEP and VEA?

FEP is categorized as Europe Equities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. FEP tracks Defined Europe Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEP and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.81), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.